Don't forget to pack your German phrasebook. Because it is common for cyclists touring the west of Ireland to be addressed in German.

Only joking, but you will meet many other cyclists and many more of them will be from continental Europe than from Britain. But I've been cycling in Ireland several times, and just about the whole of the west of Ireland is lovely for cycling.

And don't forget to take a copy of Flann O'Brien's "The Third Policeman" with you to read.

Went last year to Galway and did a 4 -day tour. Had a lovely time - quiet roads, beautiful scenery, nice b and b s and friendly locals. Food very good also. We used a route adapted from the Lonely Planet Cycle Ireland book. Has route cards to avoid navigational issues and contains lots of good route ideas.

Yes, very nice, we did a week or ten days on the west coast, from Shannon to. KNock a couple of years ago in September. We went as far as The Isle of Achill. Memorable bits included the peat bogs ( really) and the lovely Irish hospitality and food. Weather was the only compromise, England had a heat wave whilst we were there, but it didn't get to the West coast of Ireland! Ps scenery was a 10/10

Some where there is a link to our photos, https://www.flickr.com/photos/7745330@N ... 542048528/I was chief photographer on this trip as I'm no mechanic and we stayed at b&bs so no cooking was required and one of my friends likes the map reader role. I always get nagged for holding things up because I dart off for photos but they appreciate it when we get home and have a record of our travels. Well, that's my theory anyway.

Last edited by MrsHJ on Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

MrsHJ wrote:Yes, very nice, we did a week or ten days on the west coast, from Shannon to. KNock a couple of years ago in September. We went as far as The Isle of Achill. Memorable bits included the peat bogs ( really) and the lovely Irish hospitality and food. Weather was the only compromise, England had a heat wave whilst we were there, but it didn't get to the West coast of Ireland! Ps scenery was a 10/10

Some where there's a links to our photos, https://www.flickr.com/photos/7745330@N ... 542048528/I was chief photographer on this trip as I'm no mechanic and we stayed at b&bs so no cooking was required and one of my friends likes the map reader role. I always get nagged for holding things up because I dart off for photos but they appreciate it when we get home and have a record of our travels. Well, that's my theory anyway.

I looked at the photos. I'm into photography too and live in Ireland and have toured all those areas.Superb stuff.

You know I've Irish friends with whom I've toured abroad on numerous occasions and they refuse to tour in their own country!

MrsHJ wrote:Yes, very nice, we did a week or ten days on the west coast, from Shannon to. KNock a couple of years ago in September. We went as far as The Isle of Achill. Memorable bits included the peat bogs ( really) and the lovely Irish hospitality and food. Weather was the only compromise, England had a heat wave whilst we were there, but it didn't get to the West coast of Ireland! Ps scenery was a 10/10

Some where there's a links to our photos, https://www.flickr.com/photos/7745330@N ... 542048528/I was chief photographer on this trip as I'm no mechanic and we stayed at b&bs so no cooking was required and one of my friends likes the map reader role. I always get nagged for holding things up because I dart off for photos but they appreciate it when we get home and have a record of our travels. Well, that's my theory anyway.

Thanks for these great pics. They brought back memories of a brief west coast tour last year with non-cycling friends in a minibus . I still remember my pangs of regret at being stuck inside a vehicle while "touring", it's just not the same experience.

I haven't been there for several years, usually took the families bikes in the minibus and cycled locally.I would, personally, avoid the tourist routes, most notably, the 'Ring of Kerry', but even then there are some nice rides there, like Killorglin to Waterville up the centreline of the peninsula, then around Bolus Head and Valencia, etc..My favourite is Dingle, west beyond Dingle and also over the Chonair Pass to Brandon. There is also a lovely little pass over the hills to the west of the waterfall on the Chonair Pass to the South west of Brandon (Saints way?) that is slate and mountain bike territory, but OK for half an hours pushing uphill on a tourer over the top part. You won't see another soul between the road on the west side of Ballysiteragh (that the pass is just north of) and Cloghane.

I always found food expensive, especially in restaurants and 'gastro pubs'. Only disappointment was the average small pub to whom a cheese sandwich was a precut slice of cheddar from a pack on white sliced bread (the 'doorstep' with thick cut cheese seemed unheard of). Ham was usually the processed micron thick variety. Take plenty of money....

I have a friend who regularly cycled around west Ireland after season in September (I always went in school hols), his experience was mainly dry. It seems that July and August you take chances with weather.The people are very friendly and usually say hello as you cycle past.The terrain is quite hilly for the most part, but with that comes the views.Enjoy it, you will probably want to go back too.

Andy Short wrote:I haven't been there for several years, usually took the families bikes in the minibus and cycled locally.I would, personally, avoid the tourist routes, most notably, the 'Ring of Kerry', but even then there are some nice rides there, like Killorglin to Waterville up the centreline of the peninsula, then around Bolus Head and Valencia, etc..My favourite is Dingle, west beyond Dingle and also over the Chonair Pass to Brandon. There is also a lovely little pass over the hills to the west of the waterfall on the Chonair Pass to the South west of Brandon (Saints way?) that is slate and mountain bike territory, but OK for half an hours pushing uphill on a tourer over the top part. You won't see another soul between the road on the west side of Ballysiteragh (that the pass is just north of) and Cloghane.

I always found food expensive, especially in restaurants and 'gastro pubs'. Only disappointment was the average small pub to whom a cheese sandwich was a precut slice of cheddar from a pack on white sliced bread (the 'doorstep' with thick cut cheese seemed unheard of). Ham was usually the processed micron thick variety. Take plenty of money....

I have a friend who regularly cycled around west Ireland after season in September (I always went in school hols), his experience was mainly dry. It seems that July and August you take chances with weather.The people are very friendly and usually say hello as you cycle past.The terrain is quite hilly for the most part, but with that comes the views.Enjoy it, you will probably want to go back too.

Andy Short.

The cheap way to eat while bike touring in Ireland now, is Supermarket or Petrol Station delicatessans which will make sandwiches, salads etc for you. Not expensive.

I'm half way through cycling round Ireland! started in Rosslare, went to Mizen Head. now heading to Westport, Mayo. then Malin Head and to Ballycastle NI to cross to Argyll. It's been great. weather variable, drivers more careful than uk. Lots of bnbs, campsites generally good but not enough of them.

I feel sure that the genius that did this, didn't even feel a thud as he drove by.